NSA Virginia

NSA VA Communicator

A Newsletter for NSA VirginiaFebruary 2014
In This Issue
Upcoming Ports O' Call
Why NSA?
A View From the Helm
What You Need to Know about CSP
NSA Virginia Captain and Crew
Quick Links
  
  
  
 

Upcoming Ports O' Call

Mark your calendar an Join us at the upcoming workshops!

 

CLICK HERE to see Photos from our past workshops!

March 21- Terry Brock, MBA CSP CPAE, Technology, Doubletree Richmond Airport

 

April 18- Lou Heckler CSP CPAE, "Making Meetings Magic," Hilton Airport Norfolk 

 

May 16- Alan Weiss, CSP  CPAE, Doubletree by Hilton Williamsburg Conference Center

 

June 20- Patricia Fripp  CSP CPAE, Doubletree by Hilton Williamsburg Conference Center

 

Please note: As we strive to have the highest caliber of speakers, with that comes last-minute changes at times. Therefore, speakers and topics are subject to change. Watch your email for details on these meetings. Registrations for these workshops will be open soon! 

We want to know!
Email us!
Why NSA?  

Member Pamela T. Rambo Ed.D. shares this inspiration:

 

Ever feel over-committed? Ever tempted to reduce some of your memberships in organizations because of the time they take away of your work? I was feeling over-busy last month when I had an epiphany. The organizations where I volunteer and serve as a member are places where I learn and grow. They are also part of the network of people most likely to enthusiastically and consistently refer business to me. Once I began to realize that those activities ARE part of my business, I realized how lucky I am to have the opportunity to be a member. Membership truly does have privileges!

 

 

 

Just 'round the Bend:

Strategies for Success in Tough Economic Times

by Lenora Billings Harris CSP   

Date: Friday, February 21, 2014
Time: 8am-Noon
Place: Double Tree by Hilton
Richmond Airport

5501 Eubank Road 

Sandston, VA  23150 

 

As a veteran speaker, trainer and author for over twenty-five years, Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP has more than once mastered the secrets of success beyond survival even in tough economic times. Join her for this upbeat and energizing session to explore what works and what does not to launch, sustain and/or expand your success. Lenora will share her journey and answer any questions you have. With so much noise about branding, marketing, social media, to niche or not to niche it is tough to determine what is best for your unique enterprise. Lenora will guide you through the maze. Join us to:

  • Focus your strategy and determine the best tactics for your business
  • Explore what is really important in this business and what is not
  • Start and use an accountability partner
  • Have fun and success in this business and still have a life
  • What to do when the phone is not ringing??

  

  

Don't Forget to Sign Up for the Entertainment PEG When You Register!

  
A View from the Helm

By Captain Jim Gordon, NSA VA President

View from an ice covered cove

 

The blue Perception Kayak was covered in snow. Ice stretched from shore to shore in the cove. Winter had indeed arrived.

 

Happy thoughts of last year's sunrise kayaking made me keep the boat close to the water for one last adventure. I had become "frozen" in my thoughts.

 

As I struggled to move the kayak to the boatshed, I wondered why I remained "frozen" and clinging to the past. The answer was close.

I was spending my time reflecting on the past.

 

1. Reflect - to think quietly, to express a thought resulting from reflection (per Webster's Dictionary). While these moments were very positive, it was easy to remain trapped in past thoughts.

 

2. Expect - to anticipate or look forward (per Webster's again). Now my thoughts had gone the other direction. What was coming this year? Winter Conference in Tampa, a cruise to Europe in September, and many other future events sprang up. Once again, my mind had left the winter's day to escape to the future.

 

 

In both cases, I was clearly gone from the moment, unable to experience the sun and winter's natural beauty. What could I gain from just appreciating this moment?

 

3. Introspect - an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings (thanks again to Webster's). In just a moment of appreciation for nature, I felt the sun on my face and returned to the present moment.

It awoke my senses and flooded my being with energy.

 

In that moment, I knew what I wanted - sunny skies, a steady breeze for sailing and the British Virgin Islands on a 42 foot catamaran!

Took action and booked it for early February.

 

Where are your thoughts today? Are you reflecting or expecting?

What will return you to the present moment and into action?

 

 

The Ying and Yang of Professional Speaking

 

January's workshop was a double-delicious deal!  In this two-part meeting, veteran NSA VA members Rick Ott & Mary Foley shared their lessons-learned from a combined 37 years as professional speakers.

Rick Ott presented 23 of the best tips and techniques he's collected in over a quarter century as a professional speaker. For example, in the area of selling speeches, Rick recommends offering a two-speech combo for one attractive fee. "Do a general session and then a break-out . . . that configuration . . . at the same event," he says. It boosts your top-line and gives you another opportunity to sell product. Plus gives the meeting planner a good deal. Regarding platform dynamics, Rick points out that "not all speeches go well." However, there are several things you can do to increase the odds your presentations will go well. "Rehearse twice as many times as you think is necessary," he says. And, "beware . . . the most dangerous part of a speech is right before you go on. That's when screwy things happen that can doom you." Rick also recommends you think of your product as souvenirs of the event. "People want to take home a souvenir . . . why not your book or CD?" He also showed us how to promote (not sell) our products from the platform by giving away several books, and a loaded tote bag, at the end. 

Mary Foley was the "ying" to Rick Ott's "yang" with her session "Snapshots of Success:  A Conversation with Real Speakers about Their Journey" which combined interviewing that she honed when she co-hosted a radio show with "table talks" and large group interaction. 

On the "hot seat" interview were NSA VA members Rosemary Rawlins and Wade Randolph who were asked to such questions as "What motivated you to get into this crazy work?", "What do you like most about what you do?" and "What's one mistake you made that you learned a ton from?"  Rosemary and Wade also shared a picture of their past that says something about who they illustrated who they are and the speaker they are today.  Rosemary shared a photo of her and her husband doing a recent VCU commencement speech that was a significant milestone.  Wade shared a high school yearbook photo and the unexpected life events that progressed, including an encounter with Les Brown that changed his life. 

In the spirit of Rosemary and Wade's openness, small table talks focused on "What's one thing that has worked and one thing that hasn't worked in building your speaking practice?"  A large group Q & A rounded out the session.  "I wanted to use this format today because it illustrates another way that speakers can offer a valuable experience for groups that isn't focused on your being an expert on a subject.  The participants are the experts.  As a facilitator, my job is to construct an interactive experience to bring it out" explained Mary.  If you would like to brainstorm with Mary about how you can add structured interaction or a facilitated interview to your existing programs, reach out to her at [email protected].

This short summary does little to capture the energy and excitement of these monthly workshops-where speakers listen and learn for the betterment of themselves and the profession.  NSA Virginia workshops are the best deal around!  YOU NEED TO BE THERE.

 

 

2014 NSA Virginia Captain and Crew

Executive Board and Leadership Team

 

President

Captain Jim Gordon

President-Elect

Nancy Giere

Immediate Past President

Pam Rambo

Vice President

Mary Foley

Secretary

Angela Edwards

Treasurer

Shirly T. Burke

Member at Large

Publicity Chair

Cathy Lewis

Membership Chair

Joan Bowling

Newsletter

Liz Garrett

ProTrack Dean

Librarian

Kittygayle McMoon